der
Zuschuss
💰 What exactly is a 'Zuschuss'?
Der Zuschuss (plural: die Zuschüsse) refers to a financial contribution, grant, subsidy, or allowance, often provided by a public authority (like the state or municipality) or an organization to support a specific project, plan, or individual. Unlike a Darlehen (loan), a Zuschuss generally does not need to be repaid.
Typical examples include:
- Government grants (staatliche Zuschüsse) for building or renovating a house
- Grants for students (e.g., the non-repayable part of BAföG)
- Research grants (Forschungszuschüsse)
- Business start-up grants (Unternehmensgründungszuschüsse)
- Contributions towards childcare costs (Zuschüsse zu den Kosten für Kinderbetreuung)
So, it's an additional sum of money that is 'shot in' or added ('dazu geschossen').
Article rules for der, die, and das
-us/-uss/-uß → mostly masculine.
Including -ismus nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Tourismus)
📊 Grammar: Declension of 'der Zuschuss'
The word 'Zuschuss' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (subject) | der | Zuschuss |
| Genitive (possessive) | des | Zuschusses |
| Dative (indirect object) | dem | Zuschuss / Zuschusse |
| Accusative (direct object) | den | Zuschuss |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Zuschüsse |
| Genitive | der | Zuschüsse |
| Dative | den | Zuschüssen |
| Accusative | die | Zuschüsse |
💡 Example Sentences
- Der staatliche Zuschuss half uns bei der Renovierung.
(The state grant helped us with the renovation.) - Wir haben einen Antrag auf einen Zuschuss gestellt.
(We submitted an application for a grant.) - Die Höhe des Zuschusses hängt vom Einkommen ab.
(The amount of the subsidy depends on the income.) - Mit dem Zuschuss konnten wir die Studiengebühren bezahlen.
(With the grant, we could pay the tuition fees.) - Viele Projekte sind auf öffentliche Zuschüsse angewiesen.
(Many projects depend on public grants/subsidies.)
🤔 How to use 'Zuschuss'?
'Zuschuss' is used when talking about non-repayable financial aid. Common phrases involve einen Zuschuss beantragen (to apply for a grant), erhalten (to receive), gewähren (to grant/award), or bekommen (to get).
- Context: Mostly used in finance, administration, social benefits, funding programs.
- Distinction: A Darlehen (loan) must be repaid, a Zuschuss usually not. A Spende (donation) is a voluntary gift, often for charity, while a Zuschuss is typically tied to conditions and serves a specific funding purpose. A Subvention is a state Zuschuss, often for economic sectors.
- Formality: The word is frequently used in official documents and application forms.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER donor (der Geber), DER state (der Staat), DER boss (der Chef) who actively gives you money (schießt Geld zu). It's often a 'masculine' or active source providing the funds. Hence, der Zuschuss.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Zuschuss is like an extra 'shot' (Schuss) of money added 'zu' (to) your budget to help you out. Something is added to it.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Beihilfe: (Aid, assistance) Often for personal hardship or specific costs (e.g., health expenses).
- Die Subvention: (Subsidy) Usually state support for companies or economic sectors.
- Die Förderung / Fördergelder: (Support, funding) General term for financial support to achieve a goal.
- Die Unterstützung: (Support) Very general term, can also be non-financial.
- Der Beitrag: (Contribution) Can mean a grant/subsidy, but also one's own payment or contribution.
Antonyms (opposites):
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Zuschuss with der Zuschlag! A Zuschlag is a surcharge or bonus added onto a price or wage (e.g., Nachtzuschlag - night shift bonus), not financial aid.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Sachbearbeiter den Antragsteller: "Warum beantragen Sie einen Zuschuss für eine Brille?"
Antwortet der Mann: "Damit ich das Kleingedruckte im Ablehnungsbescheid besser lesen kann!" 😉
(The official asks the applicant: "Why are you applying for a grant for glasses?"
The man replies: "So I can read the fine print on the rejection letter better!")
✍️ Poem about the 'Zuschuss'
Das Konto leer, das Projekt teuer,
(Account empty, project expensive,)
Man braucht Finanzspritze, ganz ungeheuer.
(Need a cash injection, quite immense.)
Ein Antrag schnell, mit Hoffen und Bangen,
(An application quick, with hope and fear,)
Kann man den Zuschuss wohl erlangen?
(Can one probably obtain the grant here?)
Der Staat gibt Geld, 'nen Batzen dazu,
(The state gives money, a chunk thereto,)
Damit die Idee verwirklicht wird im Nu.
(So the idea is realized in a moment or two.)
Kein Kredit, nein, geschenktes Geld,
(No loan, no, gifted money held,)
Der Zuschuss ist's, der die Kasse erhellt!
(It's the grant that brightens the funds, propelled!)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin Geld, doch kein Kredit,
(I am money, but not a loan,)
Zurückzahlen musst du mich nicht.
(You don't have to pay me back, it's known.)
Ich helfe Projekten, groß und klein,
(I help projects, big and small,)
Oft vom Staat – wer mag ich sein?
(Often from the state – what am I called?)
... Der Zuschuss (The grant/subsidy)
🧩 Word Building Blocks: Der Zuschuss
The word 'Zuschuss' is composed of:
- zu-: A preposition/prefix indicating addition, direction, or supplement. (Meaning 'to', 'towards', 'added').
- der Schuss: Not literally a 'shot' from a gun here, but in an older sense meaning 'portion', 'contribution', or 'something thrown in/given'. Compare 'ein Schuss Milch' (a dash/splash of milk).
So, a Zuschuss literally means an 'added portion' or an 'added amount' (of money).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Zuschuss?
The noun Zuschuss is masculine. The correct article is der. So you say: der Zuschuss. The genitive is des Zuschusses, dative is dem Zuschuss, and accusative is den Zuschuss. The plural form is die Zuschüsse.